Silent Night!

The time between Thanksgiving and the New Year can be the most festive and the most solemn. It can be the loudest with celebrations, family, and such, and it can be the most quiet. There's no doubt that navigating grief can be the most challenging during the holiday season. Heck, navigating grief is challenging during ANY season, but Thanksgiving and Christmas are hard for so many. Remember grief is personal. Your grief journey is your journey. Everyone experiences grief differently, thus everyone experiences healing differently. Whether you've lost a loved one, experienced a significant life change, or are facing a difficult situation, the holidays can intensify feelings of saddness and loneliness. Here are a few tips to help you through this holiday season.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings- Like we always say.. It's OK to NOT be OK. It's okay to feel sadness, anger, or emptiness. Give yourself permission to grieve. It is a natural part of the process. Be Kind to Yourself and ask for what you need. Whatever you are feeling, allow yourself the space to FEEL IT. If you don't want to eat at a certain person's house, DON'T! Family gatherings can be stressful. Don't be afraid to get your coat and exit via whichever path is clear. Do what feels right for YOU.

2. Adjust Your Expectations- Chilllleeeee, you do NOT have to be super wo(man) during these holiday gatherings. In fact, expect that there may be a moment that you might feel wheepy. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Give yourself the freedom to redefine what the holidays mean for you.

3. Plan Ahead- Try to anticipate how you will feel when certain traditions are carried out or parts of the meal, etc. You can expect that you may feel overwhelmed or need a moment to yourself, plan what you will do and how you will handle it. Plan your escape route. You don't have to stay at Aunt Bertha's if you don't feel like it. You can respectfully wish her a happy holiday and make your exit stage left.

4. Create a Support System- Lean on those trusted/safe individuals that you have in your life to help you through the rough times of the holiday. Accept those invitations and surround yourself with understanding and empathetic people, who can be a source of strength during difficult times. This is NOT the time to be around the negative friends and relatives. Hang out with those who calm your spirit and feed your soul.

5. Honor and Remember-Find ways to honor and remember your loved one. Find ways to celebrate their life and the legacy that they left behind. On all important holidays, I find ways to honor my mother with service to others. The greatest way to honor a loved one is to live a life that makes them proud. Do things that they would like to do. Maybe fix their favorite dish. Most importantly, LIVE.

6. Self-Care-Prioritize self-care. Grieving can take a toll on your emotional and physical well-being. Make time for activities that bring you comfort and relaxation, Remember that taking care of yourself is an essential part of the healing process.

7. Embrace Change-Understand that the way you experience the holidays may be different now, and that's okay. Allow yourself the space to discover new meaning and purpose in the midst of grief. This is the perfect time to start new traditions, try new things, and be intentional in your healing. The change can be the hardest part to adapt to. You might miss what the holiday season USED to look like; however, embrace the new opportunities, embrace new possibilities, and embrace the idea that JOY will return.

#thesunalwaysshines #lookforthesun #beyondthesunshine

The last Christmas

We found ways to have fun